America's Best Farmers' Markets

See our 10 favorite farmers' markets from across the country.

These days, farmers' markets offer more than just nature's finest and freshest produce. These ten markets have devoted local fans—from near and far—making them a destination in their own right.

More

view gallery

01of10

01Of10

01Of10

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland

This producers-only market is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year. A bazaar-like component—with beauty products, arts and crafts, and handmade furnishings—was added in 2009 and has helped to draw more than 8,000 visitors on especially nice Sundays. Visit the gourmet pickle stand In A Pickle, which has an ardent fan base who loves its nine varieties, or wash down a snack down with classic glass-bottled milk from South Mountain Creamery.

Brattleboro, Vermont

Brattleboro, Vermont

When it started in 2006, the Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market gave farmers a place to sell their still-plentiful produce when traditional markets had closed for the winter. In addition to making fresh, local food affordable to those in the community (they accept SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), the Saturday market has also become a destination for foodies from Massachusetts who love its proximity to I-91.

Baltimore, Maryland

This producers-only market is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year. A bazaar-like component—with beauty products, arts and crafts, and handmade furnishings—was added in 2009 and has helped to draw more than 8,000 visitors on especially nice Sundays. Visit the gourmet pickle stand In A Pickle, which has an ardent fan base who loves its nine varieties, or wash down a snack down with classic glass-bottled milk from South Mountain Creamery.

Brattleboro, Vermont

When it started in 2006, the Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market gave farmers a place to sell their still-plentiful produce when traditional markets had closed for the winter. In addition to making fresh, local food affordable to those in the community (they accept SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), the Saturday market has also become a destination for foodies from Massachusetts who love its proximity to I-91.

Charleston, South Carolina

Operating since 1989, the market at Marion Square is a hit with locals, who cite the bounty of non-food treats at this market, including Scarlet Poppy jewelry, and the magnolia cream products from Charleston Soap Chef. If you're in the market for furniture, check out Capers Cauthen's Landrum Tables made of reclaimed local wood. Have a bite at Charleston Crepe Company, one of the most popular—and longest-running—food vendors, or try Roots Ice Cream, which scoops up locally-sourced flavors like Sweet Tea and Honeysuckle.

Des Moines, Iowa

Since it began in 1976, the Des Moines market has grown from 15 vendors to more than 200, and now averages 20,000 visitors each Saturday. In addition to Iowa-grown, chemical-free produce and local meats and cheeses, there are six venues for arts, crafts and entertainment, plus a weekly kids' activity to enchant the younger attendees. Spanning nine city blocks, is it any wonder people line up for the Farm Boys' breakfast burritos to help them power through? For a more uncommon taste, check out Pupusasa El Salvador, a Salvadoran-style maize-flour tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat.

Portland, Oregon

Portland Farmers Markets, which started with 13 vendors in a parking lot, has become a no-small-potatoes empire over the past 21 years: In 2011 they generated $8 million in sales from more than 650,000 shoppers. The flagship market, at Portland State University, draws nearly 150 vendors including foragers, farmers, fishermen, bakers, cheesemongers, and wine makers. Average shoppers number from about 12,000 to 16,000 each Saturday, and many are there to enjoy music performances, chef demonstrations, and kids' cooking classes. All seven Portland Farmers Markets accept SNAP funds (formerly known as food stamps), which makes fresh, local foods available to lower income residents.

Rowayton, Connecticut

A welcome stop along the I-95 corridor, Rowayton's historic Pinkney Park hosts on average 20 vendors, and offers views of the Long Island Sound and the Five-Mile River. Although it's a young market (this summer will be the fifth year), it is beloved in the community, with regulars shopping every week and a number of local vendors, too, including Josie's Empanadas and Three Dog Cookie Co.'s treats for four-legged friends. Don't miss the organic hand-blended family recipes at Mamacat's Q.Tea, including a unique chamomile blend. Before you leave, catch a tour of the circa-1800 Pinkney House, with its mid-19th century interiors depicting its heyday as a prosperous farmhouse.

Sag Harbor, New York

Local residents Ana Nieto and Ivo Tomasini created the Sag Harbor's Fair Foods Winter Farmers' Market just three years ago with a goal of encouraging the local economy in the "off-season." It's one-stop shopping for colorful winter produce (cabbages, beets, carrots, kale, fennel, squash), free-range and hormone-free animal products like eggs and cheeses and baked goods, in addition to local indulgences like Fat Ass Fudge and Wölffer Estate Vineyard wines. This winter, Goodale Farms brought along some baby goats, and artist Ryan Kennedy screened a trailer of his new visual art show.

(Sag Harbor's Fair Foods Farmers' Market, indoors, Saturdays, ending May 19 (and starting again on November 3), 10am-2pm. Nieto and Tomasini also manage the summer market, which will mark its ninth anniversary this season, May 18-October 26.)

Courtesy of Sag Harbor's Fair Foods Winter Farmers' Market

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

8Of10

Chicago, Illinois

Nestled in Lincoln Park, adjacent to the lakefront, the 12-year-old Green City Market operates year-round (outdoors from May through November). It is believed to be the only market in the country that requires third-party certifications of all vendors, such as Certified Naturally Grown, USDA Certified Organic, or Animal Welfare Approved. (See the entire list here.) Try the amazing pickled brussels sprouts from Grass Is Greener and grab Crumb's Caraway Rye or Semolina Boule breads—made from organic flours—before they sell out. But prior to loading up your arms, be sure to visit the city's adjacent free zoo.

(Green City Market, indoors, Saturdays, November through April, 8am-1pm; outdoors, Wednesdays and Saturdays, May through October, 7am-1pm)

Kate Gross

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9Of10

Aspen, Colorado

Discover Colorado-made, -grown, or -produced foods and goods from 30 vendors and 70 artisans. The non-profit, 13-year-old market has a juried application process, making it highly selective. Kids can learn about sustainable food and meat at the education booth. Best of all, pick up some prepared foods and grab a seat in the adjacent park to savor the picture-perfect view of Ajax Mountain.

West Tisbury, Massachusetts

Centrally located outside the Grange Hall in town center, the West Tisbury Farmers Market will celebrate its 39th anniversary this summer. Thought to be unique among its peers, the market rules require that all of the approximately 40 vendors grow or make their products on Martha's Vineyard. It's also managed by two of its vendors, life-long island native Linda Alley and Rusty Gordon (she's the lady behind New Lane Sundries jams, jellies and gourmet mustards; and he's an organic farmer). About two-thirds of the goods are farm products, and the remaining vendors offer non-consumables, like Seastone Papers' handmade jewelry.